Virtual Coaching Specialization
(NASM-VCS)

A fitness or wellness credential or a bachelor's degree is recommended but not required. This course is intended for personal trainers, wellness professionals, life/accountability coaches, nutrition coaches, group fitness instructors, PE teachers, and youth sports coaches.

Chapter 1: Introduction to Virtual Coaching
Virtual coaching provides the ability to train more clients, avoid geographical limitations, and increase revenue but comes with certain challenges as well. This course provides the necessary business, physical training, behavioral and technological knowledge necessary to build a thriving virtual training business.

Chapter 2: Building a Business
A sustainable business requires strategic planning and considerations that extend beyond having knowledge of exercise science principles. This chapter will provide information related to financial forecasting, budgeting, bookkeeping, sales & marketing, and how to differentiate your virtual coaching business in a competitive marketplace.

Chapter 3: Technology Considerations
From filming high-quality videos to choosing the correct video conferencing software, this chapter will review the necessary and ancillary technologies that will help fitness professionals develop, run, and scale a successful virtual training business.

2 Infographics

3 Videos

3 Printable Handouts

2 Infographics

3 Videos

3 Printable Handouts

Chapter 4: Communication and Coaching Strategies
Communication is necessary to establish and maintain a trusting trainer-client relationship. This chapter will review best practices for virtual communication from the initial visit to explaining programs and maintaining compliance.

Chapter 5: Administering Virtual Assessments
Based on your client’s goal, sport, or previous injuries, it is important to develop a baseline and ongoing assessments to achieve outcomes in the safest and most efficient manner possible. This chapter will review how to develop and execute comprehensive assessments in a remote capacity utilizing technology and other resources.

Chapter 6: Implementing Coaching Sessions
Recommendations and guidance for appropriate spacing, flooring, lighting, camera angles, equipment, and coaching cues will all be provided in this chapter.

10 Infographics

3 Videos

5 Printable Handouts

10 Infographics

3 Videos

5 Printable Handouts

Chapter 7: Integrating Wearables into Virtual Coaching
This chapter will focus on education and validation of health and performance of common wearable biometrics, the development of data-driven programs, and how to leverage wearable data for compliance monitoring and client reinforcement to maintain motivation and retention.

Chapter 8: Selling Virtual Coaching
Understanding individual expertise and personal goals will help fitness professionals develop a niche, unique selling proposition, and pricing model to differentiate from the competition and drive sales.

Chapter 9: Marketing Virtual Coaching
Fitness professionals must be savvy and possess a working knowledge of marketing strategies to attract potential clients. This chapter will review marketing resources, the 4 P’s of marketing, and how to leverage social media and referrals to attract new virtual clients.

22 Infographics

3 Videos

1 Printable Handout

22 Infographics

3 Videos

1 Printable Handout

After the completion of the course, you will take an online final exam from the comfort of your own home or wherever you prefer to take tests. The exam consists of 100 questions and there is a time limit of 90 minutes. You must pass with a scaled score of 70% or better.

You will have 365 days from the day of enrollment to take your final exam.